How to pack right

You might sit up in bed at a hotel room in a faraway land, rummaging through your luggage, unable to find that one moisturizer that can gives you perfect holiday skin. Or maybe you forgot your power bank, and now your enthusiasm for the trip is as low as your phone battery.

We know how hectic the whole packing process can be, and to make it a tad bit easier, here are some tips you can follow.

Make a list

This is most definitely a step that might seem to be just adding to the hassle, if you’re not one who relies on lists. But for packing, we assure you, a list can help ensure you have all the things you need to make your trip go as smoothly as possible. Think of your daily routine, and quickly jot down everything you need, in order. Once the actual packing process begins, a simple tick can help you assess how much you’ve got done.

Create sections

Keeping designated areas for specific items can help you find things without having to turn your luggage upside down every time. A good way to do this is carrying smaller bags or pouches for different things: a bag for your toiletries, one for your electronic devices, and maybe one for footwear. A useful tip here, in case you travel quite frequently, is to always have a travel kit ready. Pack mini toiletries and other essentials that mimic what you use on a regular basis, without having to worry about taking some every time you decide to hop on the plane.

Choose multipurpose items

When you’re travelling, your routine may not be as elaborate or product heavy as it is at home. To keep things light, maybe you can substitute three different moisturizers for one that can work just as well. Rather than carrying a hair straightener AND a curling iron, choose just the former and work with that. This can also be applied for clothing: choose footwear that is both comfortable, and can look dressy when needed. This will significantly reduce the amount of space your things take up.

Pack smart

A convenient way to pack your clothes is to pack your clothes as complete outfits. When you have a complete look in mind, it’s easier to pack as well as dress for the day when you’re on a trip. Another trick could be carrying articles of clothing that can be used for multiple looks. A good pair of jeans or leggings with multiple top options, a plain white t-shirt to pair up with shorts or skirts, or maybe a jacket to throw over pretty much any outfit you have in mind -- keeping a few of these options can help you create a variety of looks without having to carry half of your wardrobe with you across the globe.

Roll, don’t fold

It’s true – rolling your clothes instead of folding them gives you ample space to carry all the things you want. It also makes it much easier to see everything in the bag, and pull out what you need without damaging the perfectly organized suitcase. Pick the larger pieces first, and then you can squeeze in the smaller, lighter pieces in the spaces in between.

Carry a health kit

Oftentimes, while you’re travelling, there may be medical emergencies that you didn’t really foresee. At times like these, looking for or running to a pharmacy may not be the most convenient thing to do. It’s best to carry some essentials, such as allergy medication, painkillers or band-aids, just to be fully prepared before disaster strikes. However, you should definitely remember to read up on the policies of the country you’re visiting, as some may not allow you to carry medication. In that case, do your research and find the best alternatives of your medication in that country, so that you know what to look for there.

Choose your make-up wisely

It’s important to have some make-up at hand, if you’re into that -- but picking what you really need can be a dilemma none of us wants to deal with. What you need to consider while packing make-up is what you can make the most out of. Pick a light foundation/ tinted moisturizer. If you can, leave that out completely, and just opt for a good concealer. Some mascara, and a few lipstick options that you can mix and match to create new shades with, and you’re set. If you absolutely must, pick a compact eye-shadow palette with some solid, basic colours that will look good with everything.

Keep extra plastic/ zip-lock bags

This is a very useful tip. Carrying separate plastic bags can help you when you’re coming back with wet clothes. This way, you don’t have to worry about going for a swim well before your trip back, in order for your swimsuit to dry. It also helps keep your clean and dirty clothes separate, in case you don’t get the chance to wash them.

Make use of your carry-on

This may seem a bit extreme and, honestly, a little bit of an inconvenience. But carrying some of the crucial items you may need at any given point is always a smart way to go. Your phone charger, some medication, and maybe even some make-up for touch-ups -- these can come in handy during emergencies.

There’s a lot to consider when packing for a trip. You may want to have multiple outfit choices, a variety of shoes, or all your expensive make-up in case you go on a glamorous night out. But it’s important to consider your comfort (and luggage weight restrictions), and really focus on taking only the things that will aid you to have an unforgettable experience. So now, with packing made so easy, the only other thing you need to think of is -- where’re you off to this time?